George Russell to join Mercedes F1 team from 2022 as Valtteri Bottas leaves for Alfa Romeo
George Russell will join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2022, after Valtteri Bottas left the team for Alfa Romeo Racing.
George Russell has joined Mercedes F1 team on a multi-year deal from 2022. (Steve Etherington)
Russell, the star of the Mercedes Young Driver Program, has signed a long term contract with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team.
"It's a special day for me personally and professionally," said Russell, "but also a day of mixed emotions."
"I'm excited and humbled to be joining Mercedes next year, which is a huge career step, but it also means I'll be saying goodbye to my team-mates and friends at Williams."
"It has been an honour working alongside every member of the team, and an honour to represent the Williams name in F1."
"Since I joined in 2019, we have worked tirelessly to push each other forward and bring the team back up the grid where it belongs."
"We've battled for every qualifying position, every point, and every tenth of a second."
"No matter how tough it's been, nobody has ever given up, and that has inspired me every day."
"I've loved every moment in what I'd describe as a true heart and soul racing team, and I'll be pushing harder than ever to make sure we end our story in the best possible way."
George Russell has been the star of the Mercedes Young Driver Program. (Supplied)
Russell won the 2017 GP3 championship before taking out the 2018 FIA Formula 2 championship.
He is in his third season with Williams, which has seen the historic team gradually improve from their temporary status as one of the minnows of Formula 1.
"Looking ahead to next season, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't absolutely buzzing."
"It's a huge opportunity and one I want to grab with both hands."
"But I'm under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge; it's going to be a steep learning curve."
"Valtteri has set a high bar, consistently delivering week in and week out, scoring wins, pole positions and helping win multiple championship titles."
"My target must be to reward the trust that Toto, the team, and the board have placed in me by ensuring I play my part in continuing that success and I want to do my new team-mates proud."
Lando Norris and Valtteri Bottas at the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Steve Etherington)
Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017, earning nine race wins, 54 podiums, and 17 pole positions - playing his part in a successful Constructors' World Championship each year.
Russell will race for Mercedes as the sport enters a new era of technical regulations.
New regulations have generally contributed to the dominance of a specific driver or team, such as Sebastian Vettel's titles with Red Bull, or Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes dominance.
The new regulations are designed to level the playing field.
"Of course, one of those new team-mates is in my opinion the greatest driver of all time,” said Russell.
"I've looked up to Lewis since I was in go-karts and the opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off track can only benefit me as a driver, a professional, and a human being."
Lando Norris at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. (LAT Images)
Russell follows Bottas - who joined Formula 1 with Williams in 2013 before moving to Mercedes in 2017.
"I am so proud of everything we have achieved together in my time with Mercedes - and it is not over yet, because we have our biggest challenge so far to try and claim our eighth constructors' title," said Bottas
"When I look back on my time with Mercedes, I want to be able to say that I squeezed every drop out of this opportunity and left nothing on the table; and I want to make sure that we finish our time together as champions."
"It has been a privilege and a great sporting challenge to work with Lewis, and the harmony in our relationship played a big part in the constructors' championships we won as teammates."
Valtteri Bottas will join Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN on a multi-year contract. (Supplied)
Both Russell and Bottas will finish the season with their current teams.
"Later this year, the time will come to say goodbye -that's not for now, but I would like to thank Toto and the team for the respect in how we took the decision together."
"I am really pleased to have chosen my new challenge with Alfa Romeo, an exciting and iconic manufacturer, and by the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid."
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN say that they plan to move up the rankings at the dawn of the new regulations.
"A new chapter in my racing career is opening," said Bottas.
"I’m excited to join Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN for 2022 and beyond for what is going to be a new challenge with an iconic manufacturer"
"Alfa Romeo is a brand that needs no introduction, they have written some great pages of Formula One history and it’s going to be an honour to represent this marque."
"The potential of the setup in Hinwil is clear and I am relishing the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid, especially with the new regulations in 2022 giving the team a chance to make a leap in performance."
"I’m grateful for the trust the team has put in me and I cannot wait to repay their faith: I’m as hungry as ever to race for results and, when the time comes, for wins."
"I know Fred [Vasseur] well and I am looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team I am going to work with, building relationships as strong as the ones I have at Mercedes."
Antonio Giovinazzi racing for Alfa Romeo at the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix. (Antonin Vincent/DPPI)
The grid for 2022 is well and truly taking shape, with new talent emerging across almost every team.
The placing of George Russell at Mercedes, Max Verstappen at Red Bull, Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, and Lando Norris at McLaren, is confirmation that the next generation of Formula 1 has arrived.
All of this to look forward to - while a fascinating championship battle takes place this year between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
"For now, though, I have nine more races as a Williams driver," said Norris, "and I want to make sure they are the best nine of my time with the team."
"Then, and only then, can I turn my attention to 2022."
"A huge thank you to Williams, to Mercedes and to everyone who has supported me in getting to where I am today."
"I couldn't have done it without every single one of you."
"I'm as hungry as ever to race for results and when the time comes, for wins," said Bottas.
"But for now, my mission is clear: maximum attack for Mercedes, all the way to the final lap in Abu Dhabi."
